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Susan SmithSusan Smith has worked as an editor and writer in the technology industry for over 16 years. As an editor she has been responsible for the launch of a number of technology trade publications, both in print and online. Currently, Susan is the Editor of GISCafe and AECCafe, as well as those sites’ newsletters and blogs. She writes on a number of topics, including but not limited to geospatial, architecture, engineering and construction. As many technologies evolve and occasionally merge, Susan finds herself uniquely situated to be able to cover diverse topics with facility. « Less

Susan SmithSusan Smith has worked as an editor and writer in the technology industry for over 16 years. As an editor she has been responsible for the launch of a number of technology trade publications, both in print and online. Currently, Susan is the Editor of GISCafe and AECCafe, as well as those sites’ … More »

New version of Autodesk BIM 360 Glue provides greater access to project information

Sarah Hodges, senior industry marketing manager for Autodesk, spoke this week about the new version of Autodesk BIM 360 Glue that addresses the big data explosion in the AEC industry and the adoption of BIM. Autodesk BIM 360 Glue extends the BIM process from design to construction by providing all stakeholders access to project information for model coordination and clash detection via desktop, mobile and web.

Whereas the adoption of BIM was originally confined to architects, it now covers the supply chain and through ecosystem, structural and MEP adoption. It is estimated to double or triple in 2009. And further, according to Hodges, “What’s happening in the contractor side is surpassing adoption by architects. We’re seeing ROI gains that all tie in what is being done with BIM 360 Glue.”

Most of the industry data Autodesk has created globally has been created in the last two years. The way we consume things and create data such as YouTube videos, is having a huge impact on AEC industry, said Hodges. Glue is tying into that theme, providing access to the cloud any time any where, a theme Autodesk has been using for a few years that is being realized in products like Glue. Computing is becoming one of cheapest resources as the price of hardware is starting to drop. The price of hardware is starting to drop and democratize. These are drivers around working with the BIM 360 portfolio.

Among other factors that lend themselves to working with the BIM 360 portfolio is globalization. Global construction spend continues to increase. By 2020 it is estimated US$12 Billion will be spent on construction.

“Most growth is coming from emerging markets,” said Hodges. “We are starting to see them move toward BIM, to do things on time and on budget using cloud technologies. China and India will contribute the most to the spend.”

“The problem we’re trying to solve, is the market is increasingly competitive, margins are thin, there are safety and budget issues, complex projects, access to information available across the lifecycle to various stakeholders, and that information needs to be accessible any time anywhere from anybody.”

BIM 360 Glue is transforming the way things will collaborate in the design/ construction industry, connecting the team to the project and providing one click access to the latest models, the next generation of our cloud based solutions.

Some things that are new:

1) optimized user interface – modernized way to access BIM 360 Glue, easy to navigate and view, and can do project-based tasks.

2) Two-way interoperability with Navisworks — uniting desktop workflows with Glue, and some other integration with Revit.

According to Hodges, customers are used to an intuitive experience such as they have with smartphones. “We wanted to redesign our UI so customers had an optimized experience, to help them get started quickly, so it’s all about them learning to do key tasks in an optimized environment and accelerate that collaboration and coordination. With navigation tools, new users can get started quickly, and with Project Pages users can very quickly have access to information updates to latest project activities. Project Pages would give me a very quick view into the latest clashes on a model we’re working on. You are also able to see the activity log including updates.”

Also regarding the UI, Autodesk has accelerated access to larger models, with easier to use viewing and navigation controls. You can be collaborating with your team on a project, and could pull up the model in 360 Glue on one screen and use the model view to look at it, and on another screen navigate and use different tools to do clashes, organize and manage project views.

Improved interoperability translates to round trip coordination workflows, and the ability to use Glue and added apps with some design tools. Contractors can now work directly with BIM 360 Glue data from within Revit, AutoCAD and Civil 3D.

Designers working in this environment can directly send their models to Glue and take advantage of clash reporting, and have access to critical design data in the Glue environment.

The mobile app for the iPad has been improved as well. Users can quickly get access to a live project model whether on the desktop or on the iPad. Also they have access to any saved files, they can view when there is no wifi connection available.

“It’s giving you access to Glue data, the latest version is giving you access to improved model graphics and visualization support for Navisworks files,” said Hodges. “If I’m working on a project in 360 Glue and need to view my Navisworks model, I can do that easily by using my 360 Glue mobile app available in the App store.”

Markup and measuring tools have been improved as well, including the ability to markup your project in Glue, and for identifying clashes and markups for others on the project.

The latest release of BIM 360 Glue and 30-day free trial are available as of May 13th, 2013 and are available globally, sold and supported in English.